The State of Star Trek in 2019 and Future Plans

Introduction

2019 was a tumultuous year for Star Trek fans, with numerous shows and films in development facing significant delays and cancellations. However, the franchise's enduring popularity shows no signs of waning, and there are still prospects for new Star Trek content in the near future.

Is There a New Star Trek Film Planned for 2019?

The question of whether a new Star Trek film was planned for 2019 is complex and requires a deep dive into the history of the franchise and recent rumors.

While shows like What Lower Decks, Picard, Discovery, Strange New Worlds, and Prodigy are keeping audiences engaged, there's a significant gap in terms of a major theatrical release. As Aston Bailey-Fong noted, most of the upcoming films that were in the works have been delayed, with some even cancelled.

Nevertheless, the success of Star Trek content on networks like CBS underscores the potential for new theatrical releases. Series like Discovery and Picard are enjoying strong ratings, and Lower Decks and other animated projects are gaining traction. These projects could very well translate into new films.

Personal opinions aside, the classics like Chris Pine's portrayal of Kirk remain adaptable to new interpretations. Much like how Jeremy Brett played Sherlock Holmes differently from Benedict Cumberbatch, new Star Trek movies could bring fresh perspectives and stories.

A standalone film or a trilogy centered around a new ship and crew exploring untold aspects of Trek history could be extremely entertaining, given the current sci-fi trends.

Current TV Series and Series in Development

Currently, there are two Star Trek series under development. Star Trek: Discovery is in the gap between its second and third seasons, while Star Trek: Picard is in its first season. Both shows can be found on CBS All Access in the United States, with different distributors in other countries, such as Amazon and Netflix.

Star Trek: Short Treks is considered a separate series, though most of its shorts are related to Discovery. Additionally, there are other new Star Trek series in the pipeline, although no concrete details have been released.

The Axanar Lawsuit and the Future of Star Trek

A notable event that affected the Star Trek franchise occurred in 2019, triggered by the Axanar fan film. This low-budget production managed to secure enough funding and professional quality to attract experienced Star Trek actors, which prompted Paramount and CBS to sue. The lawsuit led to a significant backlash and negative publicity, contributing to the failure of Star Trek Beyond at the box office. This setback also resulted in actors and crews taking pay cuts or deciding against future commitments.

Notable actors like Chris Pine and Chris Hemsworth turned down pay cuts, leading to a hiatus in the franchise. While the legal issues surrounding Axanar are still ongoing, efforts are being made to find a resolution and move forward.

As of July 2019, the situation is uncertain. The future of Star Trek depends on resolving the legal issues and finding a way to capitalize on the renewed interest in the franchise. The possibility of a new trilogy or standalone films remains a viable option if the legal and financial concerns are addressed.